Pentagon preps CR list for Congress Read the Full StoryDefense News, Staff Report
The Pentagon has sent Congress a list of programs that would require congressional approval to fund under a continuing resolution — programs that would otherwise be blocked if lawmakers use the budget mechanism to fund the government once fiscal year 2015 ends, a scenario that appears increasingly likely.

'Force of the Future': Career flexibility, fewer movesRead the Full StoryMilitary Times, Andrew Tilghman
A detailed blueprint for how to rebuild the military personnel system has landed on Defense Secretary Ash Carter's desk. The dozens of recommendations from the Pentagon's top personnel officials would fundamentally change how the military recruits, pays, promotes and manages the active-duty force of 1.3 million troops, according to a draft copy of the report obtained by Military Times.

DoD's 'Future' vision doesn't overlook familiesRead the Full StoryMilitary Times, Karen Jowers
Family advocates are pleased to see that provisions affecting families have been added to the latest drafts of the Defense Department's far-reaching "Force of the Future" plan.

'Former DoD comptroller pleads for end to budgetary chaos'Defense NewsRobert Hale said he never picked his own headlines as the Defense Department comptroller, but this is the one he wanted to punctuate in his remarks at a recent think tank. Another might be: "Former DoD comptroller puts budget chaos in human terms."

Senate bill privatizes long-cherished military benefit without a hearingSave Our Benefit The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits sent a letter addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services to each conferee stating: We strongly urge the Senate and House conferees to roll back provisions in the Senate version of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act, which dismantle long-standing legal protections for this benefit and require the Department of Defense to develop a plan to privatize commissaries and test the plan for two years in at least five of the largest U.S. commissary markets. These radical and irreversible changes would severely damage a benefit long cherished by millions of service members and their families who rely on the 30 percent savings commissaries provide, without so much as a hearing.

Military Star card program drops MasterCard, adds points in overhaulNavy TimesAs of Sept. 30, AAFES no longer will offer the Chase Military Star Rewards MasterCard, although current customers can remain Chase customers with a newly issued card. AAFES is ending its relationship with Chase to simplify its credit offerings, AAFES spokesman Chris Ward said. "The split will cause less confusion for cardholders, who were managing two lines of credit and two separate payment systems," Ward said. Gone is the option to redeem points for cash, but military families will still earn points that can be redeemed for military exchange gift cards.

Defending retirement benefits for the militaryYahoo FinanceThe largest employer in the U.S., the Department of Defense, may change the way its workers receive retirement pay. The implications are huge. About 1.4 million men and women are on active duty today, about 825,000 more serve in the National Guard and Reserve, but only a fraction of them will qualify for pension benefits. Any changes to military retirement pay would require congressional approval. Both houses passed the NDAA but despite agreement in the bill on proposed retirement pay, the House and Senate versions contain differences in other areas — including commissary benefits – that must be reconciled. GovTrack.US estimates that the NDAA has a 37 percent chance of being enacted.

Battle between 2 supermarket chains turned into a billion-dollar lawsuitBusiness InsiderHaggen — a supermarket chain based in the Pacific Northwest — is suing Albertsons for $1 billion. The chain is alleging Albertsons tricked them into buying 146 stores to facilitate Albertsons' merger with grocery chain, Safeway and then proceeded to sabotage Haggen's entry into the new markets.

What grocers need to know about modern foodiesProgressive GrocerWhile the pursuit of great taste remains top of mind for foodies, they are becoming more demanding and selective while prioritizing culinary experimentation in their own homes rather than going to restaurants, so says Sopexa's 2015 Foodie Study.

Report: Menu boards key to grocery deli, bakerySupermarket NewsMenu boards may have more of an influence in the grocery deli and bakery than retailers realize, according to a new report from Datassential. The Menu Boards Keynote report found 88 percent of customers look at the deli menu board at least some of the time while 82 percent do so in the bakery.

Sour surge: Americans develop a taste for tartFood DIVEWhat do Greek yogurt, kimchee, shrubs, kombucha and sour chewing gum have in common? All are benefiting from the increased American openness to sour tastes. Even sour beer is becoming more popular.

Season of experimentation as new bottled drinks hit the marketBy Archita Datta Majumdar It's the season of experimentation and innovation in the world of beverages. Interestingly enough, you will find as many gourmet health drinks as you will find innovative alcoholic concoctions on the list of new bottled beverages. From the right caffeine kick to a creative cocktail flavor, one can expect great things from the bottled drink sector this year. At the core, each promises an interesting change from the mundane. Move over big brands, these are the new kids to look out for.

Discount redefined: Aldi in the USASupermarket NewsAldi will never be everything to everyone, but more things for more people is certainly within its sites. The limited assortment discounter, which at one time provided only a bare-bones shopping experience for the neediest shoppers, has today evolved its concept so as to provide a contemporary look and on-trend assortment with appeal to what Aldi calls "smart shoppers" — increasingly, mainstream grocery shoppers who will buy all they can at Aldi before filling out the rest of their needs elsewhere.

General Mills brings supply chain into emissions goalGreenBizTaking bolder responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions by its supply chain of farmers and mills and packagers than is typical, General Mills announced a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions across its entire business — "from farm to fork to landfill" — by 28 percent within 10 years.

For the Hispanic market, the future is nowFood Business NewsIf the U.S. Hispanic market were its own country, the nation would rank as the 13th largest global economy, said Emmanuel Laroche, vice president of marketing and consumer insights, North America for Symrise Inc., Teterboro, New Jersey.

This year, the annual exchange Roundtable for MCCS has been replaced with a more interactive format and will coincide with the ALA National Convention. Participation for MCCS suppliers is expected on October 29, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Washington, D.C. As you can see by the preliminary agenda, a collaborative array of working and briefing sessions will be provided and the meeting is designed to improve the lines of communication between the MCCS and supplier community. This meeting as designed will provide a better understanding for supporting the mission between the supplier and exchange community. All key buyers and divisional managers will be attending this first of its type event.

The Environment in the Military Resale Channel has changed and will continue to follow a newer trend and everybody that supports the Marine Corps Exchange system to attend and participate in the one-day session in October immediately following the ALA National Convention on October 29, 2015 at 0800 hrs. at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Washington, D.C.

Shopping the Exchange pays $224 million in dividendsDesert Lightning NewsThe Army & Air Force Exchange Service paid a dividend of $224 million in 2014 to morale, welfare and recreation efforts for the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. In the past 10 years, the Exchange has provided more than $2.4 billion in dividends to military programs, such as youth services, family counseling and other activities, that make life better for military members and their families.

A repeat of 2008? Volatility seen spooking shoppersCNBC They say timing is everything. So the fact that the stock market's dramatic plunge comes just two months ahead of the holiday season — and after most retailers have already placed their orders — could put retailers in a position that's most analogous to their dismal performance of 2008, said Steve Barr, U.S. retail and consumer sector leader at PwC.

Days numbered for barcodes as shoppers demand more dataReuters Growing demand for more information about the products we buy could mean the end of the simple barcode — the blocks of black and white stripes that adorn most objects for sale and are scanned five billion times a day.

Best Buy's store-within-a-store bet is paying offAdvertising Age Best Buy's store-within-a-store bet is starting to pay off. The world's largest electronics chain posted its fourth-straight quarter of same-store sales gains thanks to higher demand for appliances, TVs and phones, and is preparing to offer top brands, like Apple and Microsoft, even more shelf space heading into the holiday season.

Attention, shoppers: Shopping with store app means you'll visit more, stay longerVentureBeatA shopper with a Target app visits that chain about once more a month than an app-less shopper. So says new field data released by mobile data analytics firm Wefi. It's based on device-transmitted info from shoppers at 49 stores in the Los Angeles area run by seven major retailers: Costco, Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.

At test Target cafes, hot dogs out, salads inUSA TodayFor Target customers in 14 test stores, there will be no more munching on big-box staples, like hot dogs and gooey nachos, while they shop this fall. Instead, they'll be able to choose from a wider array items, including "artisan style" pizza, fresh salads and pressed juices with beet and carrot.

Alabama among top US states where people spend most money at Wal-MartThe Huntsville TimesWal-Mart shows no sign of slowing down in Alabama with the proliferation of Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets across the state. Why is the Yellowhammer State such a big target for Wal-Mart expansion? A new analysis from GOBankingRates reveals Alabama is among the top five U.S. states for average Wal-Mart spending.

The return of Blue BellCSPBlue Bell Creameries has announced that it will begin distributing its ice cream to retailers in select markets on Aug.31. The company voluntary recalled all of its frozen products over contamination issues in April and May.

Dr Pepper Snapple buys 11.7 percent stake in BodyArmorCSPTaking the next step in its relationship with BodyArmor SuperDrink, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. has made an equity investment in BA Sports Nutrition LLC, owner of the sports drinks. The $20 million investment gives Dr Pepper Snapple an 11.7 percent ownership position in BA Sports Nutrition.

Tedeschi rebranding to 7-Eleven will be 'gradual'CSP7-Eleven Inc. has closed on the acquisition, announced in May, of Rockland, Massachusetts-based Tedeschi Food Shops and its approximately 180 convenience stores. This transaction adds to the 150 C-stores 7-Eleven has in the greater Boston and southern New Hampshire area.

Joe knows snacksCSPA reporter must investigate to draw the facts for a story — and in this case, it's about Trader Joe's impressive array of snacks, from creamy cookies and bags of almost every nut imaginable to horseradish potato chips.

Target refreshing food serviceCSPTarget Corp. is replacing its traditional food service offering in 14 test stores, replacing the hot dogs and nachos with a wider array items, including "artisan-style" pizza, fresh salads and pressed juices with beet and carrot, according to a USA Today report.

Kum & Go expanding new HQCSPCiting "significant business growth," convenience-store chain Kum & Go LC is expanding the size and scope of its new downtown Des Moines, Iowa, headquarters, and state incentives will more than double, reported The Des Moines Register.

AAFES generates $780,000Fort Leavenworth LampFort Leavenworth service members and their families shopping and dining at Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores and restaurants on Fort Leavenworth generated $780,763.41 last year for Army quality-of-life programs.

Fort Knox: Delay in some child care services enrollmentThe Gold StandardThe Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is gradually placing new children in child care at the Child Development Center; however children are not currently being accepted off the wait list for the School Age Center and Family Child Care programs. This is due to the length of time and necessary requirements to onboard new employees and the delay associated with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's temporary suspension of completing and submitting background investigation forms. As results from the background investigation are received, and the number of employees, providers, volunteers and contractors increase, enrollment in the programs will increase accordingly. Please call 502-624-3232 or 502-624-6703 for more information.

Fort Chaffee: Outdoor Recreation's not all fun, gamesLRAFB DropZone It turns out that Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Outdoor Recreation is not all fun and games. Of course they have the "fun" stuff like equipment for camping and bean bag toss, horse stables, exciting trips around the Natural State and rentals, like boats, sports equipment and "Big Larry" the water slide. They also provide a treasure trove of tools and equipment that provide quicker ways to do weekend do-it-yourself projects. In particular they regularly rent heavy duty tools. While these things don't have much to do with recreation, they do allow Team Little Rock members to finish many "honey-do" projects many need to complete before enjoying some hard-earned recreation offerings.

Wiesbaden, Germany: New program to develop employees, enhance servicesU.S. ArmyKnowing exactly how to help customers by fully understanding the big picture and feeling empowered to do what's required are all part of Wiesbaden Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation's new Team Member Orientation program. This month, new Wiesbaden FMWR employees are taking part in a day-and-a-half-long training session featuring speakers, question-and-answer sessions, role playing and a first-hand look at the many FMWR services and programs that serve service members, civilians and their families in the garrison. The orientation will be offered regularly as new employees come onboard.